Cypress Russian

Siberian Spreading Cypress (Microbiota decussata)

Common Name: Russian Cypress

A very cool plant that looks like a cross between a juniper and a fern, the Siberian Spreading Cypress, also known as Russian Arborvitae, is a low and spreading coniferous evergreen that might reach 18 inches in height but with a spread up to 10 or 12 feet! This makes it a fine selection for beautifying and controlling erosion on embankments, slopes and hillsides. Also excellent as an accent or groundcover in landscape borders, home foundation plantings, and around garden ponds and boulders. Looks really nice under or around around Japanese maples and other small trees. The bright green to blue-green foliage is feathery, soft, and arranged in flat, fern-like sprays that gracefully arch at the tips. With the arrival of cooler temperatures in fall, the foliage transitions to bronze-purple or copper bronze to red. This one does best in cooler climates with lower humidity. In hot and humid climates it will prefer some filtered sun or shade in the heat of the afternoon. USDA Zone 3a-7b. Get all the details below!

Landscape & Garden Uses

Growing in a spreading mound 12 to 18 inches tall and 10 to 12 feet wide, the Siberian Spreading Cypress is ideal for use as a groundcover or border in landscape borders and for erosion control on slopes, embankments and hillsides. It will arch over walls and is a great choice to plant under or around small trees such as Japanese maples. Looks really nice around the garden pond and boulders and is a nice accent in home foundation plantings. A fine addition to conifer gardens, Asian gardens and rock gardens.

Suggested Spacing:  4 to 6 feet apart for mass plantings; 14 feet or more apart for space between plants

USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: 3a-7b

Plant Type: Coniferous Evergreen Groundcover 

Height at Maturity: 12-18"

Width at Maturity: up to 12'

Spacing: 4-6' apart for mass plantings; 14' apart for space between plants

Growth Habit / Form: Spreading Mound

Growth Rate: Moderate

Flower Color: None

Flower Size:  NA

Flowering Period: NA

Flower Type: NA

Fragrant Flowers:  No

Foliage Color: Dark Green

Fragrant Foliage: Yes

Berries/Cones:  Yes, small

Berry Color: Golden yellow to Copper

Sun Needs: Full Sun or Mostly Sun, Morning Sun with Light Afternoon Shade, Morning Shade with Evening Sun

Water Needs:  Average

Soil Type:  Clay (Amend heavy clay soil to ensure good drainage), Loam, Sandy (Amend quick-draining soil to retain moisture, Silty

Soil Moisture / Drainage: Moist But Well Drained, does not like constantly wet soil or standing water

Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0 (Acid to Alkaline)

Maintenance / Care: Very little to none

Attracts: Birds, Visual Attention

Resistances: Cold Temperatures (-40F / Zone 3a), Deer-Disease Resistant, Erosion, Insect